One day, I will surely strip you of your literary rank!

The speaker immediately stepped forward and looked Song Mu up and down carefully.

Especially upon noticing that Song Mu was nearly a head taller than him, and that Song Mu possessed a robust and imposing physical stature, the man couldn't help but frown involuntarily.

The other two individuals also continuously sized up Song Mu at that moment. Gazing at the tall figure of Song Mu, the expressions on their faces appeared to carry a hint of astonishment.

However, Song Mu paid no heed to their reactions. Fixing his burning gaze directly on the three of them, he spoke,

"I heard the three of you were looking for me. May I know what business you have?"

Song Mu's tone was polite enough, yet it carried a trace of chilliness.

These three had just spoken so impertinently and without a shred of courtesy; Song Mu was certainly not going to put on a friendly face for them.

Sure enough, upon hearing Song Mu's words, the leading fellow let out a heavy breath, raised his head to meet Song Mu's gaze, blinked, and then cupped his hands in a salute.

"We are scholars from the Hongzhou Prefecture Academy. We have come to the borders of Yuezhou for hunting this time and have been staying at this encampment for nearly half a month."

"In the past few days, we inadvertently learned that the top scorer of the Jizhou Prefecture Academy for this year has also arrived here."

"As the saying goes, 'associations among gentlemen are pure'; naturally, we wished to come over for a chat. Scholar Song, I am Chu Congfu. Greetings."

Despite this display of politeness, Song Mu still pursed his lips. The expression on his face did not soften, and he only replied in a somewhat flat and indifferent tone,

"So that is how it is. Then it seems it was Song who was abrupt."

"However, unluckily, Song still has matters to attend to today. Perhaps the few of you could come looking for me another day."

Having said this, Song Mu neither cupped his hands in return nor turned away immediately. Instead, he stretched out his palm toward the side, gesturing like someone urging unwelcome guests to leave.

Seeing Song Mu's gesture, the group was momentarily stunned. One of the men immediately stepped forward, but he was blocked by Chu Congfu. Chu Congfu's eyes twitched slightly as he addressed Song Mu,

"What does Brother Song mean by this? We only came to seek your guidance on some academic matters, to compare notes, and simply to get acquainted."

"Song is well aware of that, but truly, I have no time today."

With that, Song Mu simply decided to ignore the three fellows altogether and turned on his heel to leave.

Yet the very next moment, a hand grabbed hold of Song Mu's sleeve. Song Mu turned his head to look, and it was none other than Chu Congfu.

"Scholar Song, leaving in such a hurried manner—could it be that you are worried we might make things difficult for you?"

Chu Congfu grinned at Song Mu, his expression carrying a somewhat gloomy undertone. But Song Mu merely glanced down at the hand clutching his sleeve and forcefully shook it off.

Song Mu did not bother to utter another word to the man; he simply turned and walked away, leaving the three fellows behind him utterly dumbfounded.

The expression of the leader, Chu Congfu, grew even gloomier. Seemingly recalling something in his mind, he called out to Song Mu's retreating back,

"Scholar Song! It wasn't actually my idea to come see you today. To put it frankly, it was your paternal cousin once removed, Song Wencong of the Hongzhou Song clan, who wants to see you."

"He said that you, a descendant of a branch family of the Song clan, may have gained some minor renown in Jizhou Prefecture nowadays, but if you are not properly disciplined, you might end up disgracing the Hongzhou Song clan one day."

The man's voice was cold and shrill. Hearing these words, Song Mu abruptly halted his steps, his eyes widening involuntarily.

The Hongzhou Song clan—this was a name Song Mu detested deeply nowadays.

For these very people, who had originally been expelled from the clan, had somehow usurped the ultimate glory that rightfully belonged to the Shiyang Song clan. Why else had the centuries-old foundation of the main family withered away so swiftly? These outcasts had naturally been plotting and meddling from behind the scenes!

Regarding this Hongzhou Song clan, Song Mu had long ago set a goal for himself in his heart: one day in the future, he would take back every single thing that belonged to the Shiyang Song clan, down to the very last piece.

Yet precisely at this moment, someone had come here to tear open the scars of Song Mu's family.

Song Mu clenched his fists fiercely, his internal literary energy surging within his body. He abruptly turned his head around, his icy gaze locking directly onto the three men.

Perhaps due to the trials of these past few days, coupled with the earth-shattering events he had continuously encountered, Song Mu had unconsciously developed an aura of natural majesty that did not require anger to intimidate.

The moment his gaze collided with the three of them, they felt their breath instantly catch in their throats.

Although all of them were at the Scholar realm, Scholars also had distinct tiers and ranks. Song Mu, even as a newly minted Scholar, was already a top-tier (Grade A) Scholar. Even if these men had attained the Scholar realm long ago, they were merely Grade B at best.

The pressure exerted by the disparity in strength was already palpable, and Song Mu's towering physique lent an even more formidable presence.

The leading Chu Congfu couldn't help but swallow hard, silently cursing inwardly.

Didn't Song Wencong claim that even though this Song Mu was a top scorer, he was merely a Scholar from some remote backcountry and couldn't possibly possess any formidable strength?

Why did he now feel that this fellow's prowess was far greater than even that of his own senior martial brother?

Song Mu's gaze swept over the three men once more, lingering longer than before, while an unconcealed blaze of fury radiated from his person.

Seeing that the three were momentarily frozen and speechless, Song Mu slowly opened his mouth to speak,

"Since you are merely messengers delivering words, there is no need to bring unnecessary trouble upon yourselves."

"That fellow called Song Wencong is not qualified to be any sort of cousin to me. If he wishes to do something to me, let him come himself."

"‘The gentleman is broad-minded; the petty man is always full of worry!’"

"A coward who only knows how to hide in the dark and thrust hidden daggers is no different from his ancestors who were swept out the door!"

As Song Mu spoke, his literary energy surged forth, instantly spreading in all directions. His spiritual perception had already locked onto a stout, short figure who had just scrambled to hide beside a distant building. Song Mu said in a deep voice,

"I, Song Mu, will make it clear to you all here today: if any of you dare to blemish the reputation of the Shiyang Song clan in my presence again..."

Song Mu's gaze suddenly turned somewhat terrifying as he looked into the distance.

"I guarantee that one day, I will personally strip you of your scholarly rank!"

According to the old statutes of the Literary Dynasty, scholars were permitted to draw swords and fight duels! They could even wager their scholarly ranks!

Scholar ranks could indeed be stripped away!

And such deprivation was a punishment inflicted by the Mandate of Heaven—the most painful and terrifying punishment a scholar could endure.

Song Mu's words were filled with extreme anger and matchless majesty. As they rang out, the hidden fellow trembled violently.

Having said this, Song Mu turned on his heel and strode away, completely ignoring the trio's reactions.

The three men remained rooted to the spot, watching the murderous-looking Song Mu depart, while noticing nearby onlookers casting curious glances their way. One of the men tentatively nudged Chu Congfu and whispered,

"How dare he spout such wild nonsense here?"

"Precisely! He doesn't have an ounce of a scholar's grace. Does he really think..."

As the two subordinates muttered complaints, Chu Congfu wore a gloomy expression. Disregarding the gazes of the surrounding people, he turned to leave as well. His two lackeys hurried after him, only to hear him say through gritted teeth,

"Song Wencong stirred up this trouble himself; let him wipe his own ass!"

Upon hearing this, one of the subordinates stepped forward again, looking somewhat uneasy as he spoke,

"But how can that work? His eldest brother is now a Provincial Graduate student at the academy."

"And besides, he has an eldest paternal uncle who, although only holding the lowest imperial jinshi degree, is currently serving as an official in the capital!"